Meet SolSource

Cook in your own backyard using nothing but the sun! SolSource is powerful, durable, and easy to use. It was designed and tested with nomads on the Himalayan Plateau, and now we’re bringing it to you.

Use SolSource to grill, steam, bake, boil, or fry your favorite foods. You don’t need to wait for the coals to get hot, or worry that your gas tank will run out. With SolSource, you can cook anything under the sun.

Proven performance

Everyday, SolSource cooks food for large Himalayan families. It withstands sand storms, wind, snow, and -40 degree temperatures. We've used it around the world, from grilling Kobe beef on the streets of Japan to making popcorn on the Mall in Washington, DC. Just point it towards the sun and start cooking. As long as you can see your shadow, you are good to go!

Powerful: heats up fast and can grill hamburgers in minutes

Versatile: use SolSource to grill, steam, bake, boil, or fry

Durable: base holds up to 40 lbs and withstands the elements

Easy to use: patented user interface provides safety, comfort, and ease of control

Responsible: Manufactured with care for people and the planet; 100% recyclable

Here's a brief look (in 42 seconds) at how to set-up SolSource:

Peer reviewed

Hear what others have to say about SolSource:

“I think this is the new trend for barbecuing. I love that it doesn’t leave carcinogenic black carbon bits on the food. It is also so fast and easy to clean.” – Madeleine, marketing professional from France

“I’ve been looking for a reliable way to cook with the sun for a while. I’ve tried a lot of solar cookers in my time. The SolSource is definitely the most powerful and durable.” – Cody, Self-described survivalist from Texas

“Because it cooks so fast, I don’t need to adjust it or worry about it. It doesn’t interrupt my schedule and it only takes a few minutes to heat up, much faster than charcoal or yak dung.” – Norbu, Himalayan farmer

Choice

Last 4th of July American BBQs generated more CO2 on that single day than many African nations produce in an entire year. SolSource generates zero emissions while still grilling your steaks to perfection. For every SolSource you back, you offset the carbon footprint of four Americans.

SolSource is designed to create net positive environmental impact over its lifetime. In 2012, we became a certified B Corp for our commitment to bringing measurable benefit to both people and the planet. We earned a top B Corp score because of our equitable and environmental practices in all aspects of our business operations, including manufacturing.

How SolSource was born

Our core mission is to bring innovative energy solutions to people around the world. We began this quest working with rural Himalayan families to help find a solution to meet their energy needs. Five years and thirteen prototype generations later, we’ve created a product that people love and significantly improves their quality of life. Right now, many families rely on SolSource for their daily cooking needs. SolSource saves them time and money, reduces their exposure to harmful stove pollution, and preserves the environment.

Why Kickstarter?

After building and testing many generations of SolSource prototypes with Himalayan families, interest flooded in from people around the world--particularly the US! That got our creative juices flowing - why not empower everyone to harness the sun for cooking?

We’ve invested years of our lives and our own money to create SolSource. Next, our challenge is the incredibly high cost of setting up a production line in China. We need to meet minimum order quantities with our awesome manufacturing partners and fill shipping containers to bring SolSource to the world.

By backing our Kickstarter project you’ll help us fund the first production run and enable people around the world to cook with the sun. Our goal of $43,000 will cover the significant costs of tooling and production line setup, materials, making the components, labor for assembly, and shipping.

About Our Team

We are a small, dedicated, and multi-national team of foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, and nomads. Many of us grew up in the US and have always kept nature close to heart. SolSource is our best attempt to close the loop of people and planet, enabling us all to connect with the world around us in a way that makes our lives healthier, happier, and surely more full!

On the professional side, we are a team of engineers, designers, and scientists who, combined, have decades of experience designing and manufacturing consumer products. Our team holds more than one hundred patents from prior careers. We’ve been working on SolSource for more than five years together with villagers in the Himalayas. We already have two patents granted for our award-winning innovations. For more information on our team and work, stop by our website at: www.OneEarthDesigns.com.

REWARDS

Become a backer now and be among the first to receive SolSource! For all of our backers, we will create and share a personalized thank-you video in recognition for your support. Let us know if this purchase is a gift and we’ll do our best to meet the deadline, in-style!

Personalized Video: $5 To thank you for your support, we'll create a personalized video to serve as a lasting memento of what you made happen!

Backstage Pass: $20 We'll send you a custom engraved 4gb bamboo USB drive filled with behind-the-scenes footage of our work. Plus, get access to our team to post questions, comments, and contribute to the design. (Add $15 to SolSource reward levels to receive a USB drive in addition.)

Solar Chef Apron $40 Grab this sporty SolSource apron to show your support during those backyard solar BBQs. (Add $35 to SolSource reward levels to receive an apron in addition.)

SolSource $249 For a limited time, be one of the first to get a SolSource to sun-power your cooking, grilling, baking, and more!

SolSource: Burning Man 2013 Edition $324 - Get a pre-production SolSource in time for Burning Man, delivered to you directly on the playa. The extra charge is for air freight rush delivery. Note: this SolSource will come in "blue" with some aesthetic details varying from the units that will ship in October.

SolSource Factory + Office Tour $2,500 Come to our factory as the first SolSource roll off the line. Meet our R&D team and see where we spend days (and nights!) making SolSource a reality.

Birth of SolSource Himalayan Tour $4,500 Travel with our founders to the Himalayas and migrate with the nomads and stay in a traditional yak-hair tent. Learn how the SolSource started and what it's doing to improve lives on a daily basis.

Stretch Goals!

Stretch Goal #1 - $117,000: Solar grill hood - Achieved!

Stretch Goal #2 - $130,000: Solar alignment aid - Achieved!

Stretch Goal #3 - $140,000: A surprise gift - Achieved!

Manufacturing & Production Schedule

We’ve worked hard to identify outstanding manufacturing partners that align with our values. We manage our supply chain directly to ensure quality and timely delivery. We've already worked with our partners to produce prototypes of SolSource for Himalayan families. Become a backer and join us as we manufacture SolSource. You’ll receive photo and video updates throughout this Kickstarter project.

Here is the timeline we anticipate for bringing SolSource to life -- and shipping yours to you!

June / July: Finalize SolSource design and open molds

August: Setup manufacturing and conduct quality control checks

September: SolSource comes off the line and starts shipping

October: SolSource arrives at your home by Columbus day!

Fine Print

Product specifications

Materials: Black steel base and plastic reflective panels

Diameter: 4.3 ft

Weight: 40 lbs

Capacity: 20L stockpot

Assembles in less than 30 minutes with simple tools, which are included

Shipping

The cost of shipping is already included for all Kickstarter backers in the Continental US or Hong Kong. For other locations, please see below for the additional shipping charges:

Canada: $50

Hawaii: $50

Australia: $200

Philippines: $150

Thailand: $150

Japan: $150

If your country is not listed above, it probably means shipping will be $300+. Please contact us to get a shipping quote for your address. Note that we cannot predict nor are responsible for any tariff, tax, VAT, or other charges you may incur for international shipments to your location.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND BACKERS!

Risks and challenges

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
There are factors outside our control that may lead to shipping delays. In particular, customs processing for certain countries can be a lengthy process. We will do our best to communicate to you about the timelines related to delivery for your home country.

MANUFACTURING
We do not believe manufacturing, materials, design, or other issues will cause us trouble. We have created pre-production units and fully tested the product extensively both in lab and in real-world use.

Pledge $40 or more

SOLAR CHEF - Show off your support for SolSource as a proud Kickstarter backer by sporting a specially-designed SolSource apron, the perfect gift for the chef in your family.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $249 or more

170 backers

SOLSOURCE (retail $399 // save $150) - This is what you've been waiting for. Be one of the first in the world to experience sun-powered grilling. For every SolSource you back, you offset the carbon footprint of four Americans!

Estimated delivery:Oct 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $324 or more

5 backers
Limited (3 left of 8)

SOLSOURCE: BURNING MAN 2013 EDITION - Get your SolSource in time for this year's burn! The extra charge is for rush shipping and delivery to the playa.

Pledge $2,500 or more

2 backers

SOLSOURCE FACTORY + OFFICE TOUR - Meet our R&D team and celebrate with us as we watch the first SolSource batch come off the production line in China! You also get to take home the rewards mentioned above. See how One Earth Designs products are sustainably manufactured. Add $2,000 per friend.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2013

You selected

Pledge $4,500 or more

2 backers

BIRTH OF SOLSOURCE HIMALAYAN TOUR - A once-in-a-lifetime journey! Travel with our founders to the breathtaking Himalayan Plateau. Migrate with the nomads and stay in a traditional yak-hair tent. Use your very own SolSource at over 12,000ft in elevation to cook traditional Tibetan foods and see how this product is improving lives. Add $4,000 per friend.

Estimated delivery:Sep 2013

Funding period

Jun 10, 2013 - Aug 2, 2013
(53 days)

Eureka! You've found our little secret.

Sign up for our Happening email for all the inside info about arts and culture in the Kickstarter universe and beyond.